From a City of Piedmont press release on March 30:
Recreation Supervisor Erin Rivera, a 27-year employee of the Piedmont Recreation Department, has announced her retirement, effective May 21, 2021.
Ms. Rivera joined the Recreation Department in 1993 as the Wildwood Schoolmates Site Coordinator. In 1996, she was promoted to Recreation Supervisor. In her time with the City, she has been integral to programming for children of all ages. In her time with PRD, Erin has supervised pre-school and school aged programming. She supervised the Schoolmates program for many years, ensuring high-quality before and after school care for Piedmont students. Erin also grew PRD’s preschool programs from an enrichment program into a full preschool program with six classes being offered five days a week.
Another of Ms. Rivera’s achievements has been PRD’s summer programs. Erin has worked diligently over the years to expand the breadth and quality of the summer programming offered to Piedmont’s youth. Some of her favorite camps have been Camp Cottontail, Camp Ishi, Camp 1973, Huckleberry, Outdoor Explorers, and Camp Everything.
Ms. Rivera is most proud of the CIT and Junior CIT programs, created in 1995, which have given thousands of kids their first job and work experience. She also is proud providing Movies in the Park to the Piedmont Community for twenty-four years. “I have had the opportunity to work with amazing people over the last 27 years and we were all always focused on the same goal of providing care and experiences that were good for kids!!” said Rivera.
“Erin has dedicated her entire career to the Piedmont Recreation Department,” said Recreation Director Chelle Putzer. “She is responsible for building PRD’s wonderful Schoolmates, Preschool, and camp programs. Her creativity, dedication and service to the Piedmont community has been a cornerstone in the success of the Department for the past 27 years.”
“Erin’s enthusiastic dedication to providing great programs that were good for kids has been evident to me since my first day as Recreation Director,” said City Administrator Sara Lillevand. “She deserves tremendous credit for the programs she developed and the experiences she’s given to kids in her nearly three decades of work
Erin, you were one of the first people I met when we moved to Piedmont, and you always found space for my kids. I can’t thank you enough for your years of tireless service (although you look too young to retire)! Piedmont has been so lucky to have you. Whatever lies ahead, I wish you nothing but love and laughter in your next chapter.
Congratulations on your well deserved retirement Erin! You have done so much for our community, and our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts. Enjoy your next chapter!
I feel so lucky my kids’ childhood coincided with Erin’s time here! The rec will not be the same without her. Wishing all the best to your future, Erin!
A HUGE loss for Piedmont, and a GIANT gain for whoever/wherever Erin puts her formidable energy next!! , New horizons await!! A huge shout out of thanks for all you’ve done for Piedmont, from the Skov Family.
Congrats Erin! Your retirement is well deserved. You have been a Piedmont treasure for many years and you will certainly be missed!
You are the coolest!
For so many people, Erin, you ARE Piedmont. You are the reason our kids had such remarkable opportunities to play, learn and grow and we will forever be grateful to you. I don’t think people realize how different Piedmont would have been without your creativity and dedication and I feel so lucky to have been able to raise my family in the Rivera Era! Hats off to a once-in-a-lifetime public servant who never stopped trying to make things the best they could possibly be. Can’t wait to see what’s next for you and am so excited for the next step in your journey!
CONGRATULATIONS Erin! Enjoy your retirement. You look beautiful, as always, in your photo above. Hope you are well and excited about what the future holds!
Erin,
The comments section is blowing up and that is a real testament to your impact! The programs you led at the Rec have made this town magical for my kids and so many others, from participating in the fun activities to learning how to handle a first job. You built a true sense of community and caring. Thank you for all that you have done! I am excited to see what’s next for you.
Cheers!
Kristin
Congratulations Erin! You are the heart & soul & brains behind all things at the Rec Center and Schoolmates! Because you care about every single aspect, our lives and our kids’ lives have been enriched and wonderful memories have been made. You are a mentor to so many young leaders. Thank you so much for all you have given this community.
Wow, Erin, you have done so many amazing things for this community and will be greatly missed. I still remember meeting you as one of the first people in Piedmont when signing our oldest up for First Steps! Thank you for all you have done.
Wow will we miss this powerhouse in our community! Erin, you were instrumental in my kid’s lives and they’re better for it. Congratulations on 27 amazing years.
The rec center will not be the same without lovely, brilliant Erin! Congratulations on your retirement, you will be SORELY missed!!!
Congratulations Erin! Thank you for all that you have done for our town and most importantly, for our students. Your desire to trouble shoot and help people transformed our rec department and your work over this past year has been been stellar. Can’t wait to see what you do next — you are an inspiration!
Erin, this city will miss you. My boys attended your pre school, and spent every summer doing your creative and fun camps (no city had as many choices for fun camps), and then were Jr. CIT’s, CIT’s, and employees of the Rec. They literally grew up with your programs. I can’t thank you enough for all of the fun and learning that your programs brought to their lives. We still sing songs that they learned in the day and overnight camps. You have done an amazing job – thank you!!!!!!
Erin! I was a camper in your programs, my first job was at the Rec, and I sent my kids to First Step …I’ve gotten the full circle Erin Rivera experience! Thank you for so many good times. What will we do without you?!
It’s been a joy collaborating with you over the years. You made it easier to plan fun and fulfilling activities for the kids. Thank you for helping me sleep better at night! :). Now it’s your turn to go have fun.
Dear Erin, you will be missed! Enjoy your new “life”and thank you for all you did for Piedmont and so many families.
Thank you for your unflappable dedication, creativity and support for families in our community. We are so lucky to have had you lead the rec through ups and downs not to mention the vision for how to keep kids safely in camps during the pandemic! You will be missed and not forgotten.
Thank you Erin for your incredible gifts of energy, talent and heart. It is rare for a city to have the luxury of excellence and longevity in any position…and you gave us that. Your commitment and service will always be remembered and deeply appreciated. Wishing you all the best life can bring as you move into the next life chapter!
Congratulations on your retirement. Our family has so enjoyed the recreation programs you created. You will be missed!
Erin – you are an absolute treasure and you will be sorely missed! You’ve managed to continue to innovate with continual “cool” offerings, but in this last year you rose to the challenge like no other. You’re a gem that will never be replaced! Thank you on behalf of our family and the entire Piedmont community.
How will we manage without you, Erin?? And entire city wants to give you a big giant bear hug. Thank you for everything!
We will miss you Erin! Thank you for all that you have done for this community!
Erin, you are an absolute treasure. This city LOVES you and will continue to support you whatever amazing thing comes next for you. THANK YOU for all you have gifted our community! You will be dearly missed!